| Review | Givenchy Teint Couture City Balm Radiant Perfecting Skin Tint SPF 25
I think Givenchy may be infiltrating my dreams because they just came out with this beautiful base that has all the words I love so much, "Blam Radiant Perfecting Skin Tint". Is this my dream? Nope, this is reality and I'm so excited to talk about this beautiful base product that I have been testing for the past month. I will tell you that this formula is unlike any I have used before. I was very kindly gifted these skin tints from Givenchy Beauty.
PACKAGING & PRICE
PACKAGING & PRICE
The Givenchy Teint Couture City Balm Radiant Perfecting Skin Tint SPF 25 retail for $47.00 USD and is available at Sephora and other retailers. This skin tint is housed in a function and sleek plastic tube with a pump. The tube is opaque so, you can't see the actual product but each tube is color-coordinated to the shade contained inside. Of course, not accurate for shade matching but it's a nice touch especially if you have several shades. It helps you immediately identify the shade of the tint. I appreciate this packaging because although not as luxurious, it is very functional and great for traveling.
SHADES
This skin tint comes in 14 different shades, which isn't the most extensive shade range for a base product but it does span a fair range of skin tones. The shade range includes warm, cool, and neutral undertones, which I always appreciate because it allows the shade range to closely match your skin tone. This shade range goes quite deep, which is rare for a luxury brand to offer. I commend them for trying to offer a larger shade range but of course, 14 isn't enough to cover everyone.
I personally prefer a more neutral foundation for my skin tone because I find warm toned foundations from many brands to run too yellow. This is the case for this range as well, which is why I appreciate the inclusion of a neutral tone. However, the neutral tone is still quite yellow. I was sent the following shades from the range:
This product is called a "tint" but I have to say that the formula is far from something that reminds me of a tint. The formula of this foundation is VERY PIGMENTED and while the texture is light it feels and looks like a full coverage foundation. It feels very foundation-like, not at all what I would consider a "tint". The texture of this tint is that of a liquid foundation, it will run a little if you pump it on your hand and tilt your hand. Even as you apply it, it doesn't feel balmy but it just has a liquid foundation texture and application. If anything, it feels creamy but not really balmy, which is strange because it is described as both balmy and a tint.
I really think the product is mislabeled because I often think of a skin tint as being sheer to light coverage and having a dewy finish, however, this tint starts as a medium to full coverage and it has a more natural to a satin finish. Although, throughout the day, it seems to wear better and look more natural and dewy. This is a base product that gets better throughout the day and fuses better with the skin than after the initial application. It's honestly very rare to see a skin tint that has a more satin finish, which is great for those with more oily skin types but also for those want more coverage.
I think this formula can work for all skin types because it has a very versatile formula. The liquid formula is lightweight and smooths over the skin beautifully. It is a formula that will set to the skin fairly quickly, so especially for dry skin types, I think it's very important to work quickly or in sections. Also, while an application with a brush is great, I like the application with my fingers best because it really helps provide even coverage and really work the product into the skin. I find fingers help melt the product into the skin and leaves a very flawless finish.
This product also contains a light SPF, which is nice but not really enough sun protection to protect your skin for on term exposure. I usually prefer base products to have a high SPF or no SPF at all because I usually wear a minimum of SPF30 on a daily basis.
Here is how the foundation looks on the skin. This is unpowdered and you can see how satin almost-matte it looks. This is after it it is initially applied but as you wear it, it gets more radiant.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While this product isn't what I'd call a "skin tint", it is a very beautiful and flawless foundation! The coverage is very high and leaves my skin with a really flawless finish every time! The formula is extremely long-wearing, yet light, which is nice to have for warm weather or long days. Like I stated before, this foundation actually looks better throughout the day, as it melds with the skin. I find myself looking in the mirror shocked at how great my complexion looks long into the day. The natural/satin finish of this foundation allows powder products to glide on top of it beautifully and I never feel the need to set the product. This is a really unexpected love of mine! I typically don't go for a more satin or a full coverage base but this one is so beautiful and feels so lightweight on the skin! If you're often intimidated by full-coverage foundations and I find it to be too heavy, this skin tint is an amazing new take on a full-coverage foundation.
Shop Givenchy Beauty:
I personally prefer a more neutral foundation for my skin tone because I find warm toned foundations from many brands to run too yellow. This is the case for this range as well, which is why I appreciate the inclusion of a neutral tone. However, the neutral tone is still quite yellow. I was sent the following shades from the range:
N300 - This shade suits my skin tone the best, as it leans slightly more neutral but still has some warmth to it. I do still wish it had a little less yellow but these neutral shades seem to lean more golden toned, instead of yellow toned.
W208 - This shade is lighter than N300 and you can see it has a much stronger yellow undertone. This will suit someone with a light-medium skin tone with a yellow or warm undertone. This yellow undertone is great for neutralizing redness in the skin.
W370 - This warm caramel shade is stunning for someone with a deeper warm skin tone. It will help brighten and add warmth, enhancing the complexion. It has a subtle yellow tone to it as well.
N405 - This shade is an even deeper rich caramel color with a slight yellow undertone. This shade will really enhance a the warmth a deeper skin tone and brighten up dark areas without looking ashy.
FORMULA
Swatches from left to right: N300, W208, W370, N405
Swatches from left to right: N300, W208, W370, N405
N300 swatched from tube
N300 heavily swatched
N300 blended swatch
N300 blended swatch
N300 fully blended swatch
This product is called a "tint" but I have to say that the formula is far from something that reminds me of a tint. The formula of this foundation is VERY PIGMENTED and while the texture is light it feels and looks like a full coverage foundation. It feels very foundation-like, not at all what I would consider a "tint". The texture of this tint is that of a liquid foundation, it will run a little if you pump it on your hand and tilt your hand. Even as you apply it, it doesn't feel balmy but it just has a liquid foundation texture and application. If anything, it feels creamy but not really balmy, which is strange because it is described as both balmy and a tint.
I really think the product is mislabeled because I often think of a skin tint as being sheer to light coverage and having a dewy finish, however, this tint starts as a medium to full coverage and it has a more natural to a satin finish. Although, throughout the day, it seems to wear better and look more natural and dewy. This is a base product that gets better throughout the day and fuses better with the skin than after the initial application. It's honestly very rare to see a skin tint that has a more satin finish, which is great for those with more oily skin types but also for those want more coverage.
I think this formula can work for all skin types because it has a very versatile formula. The liquid formula is lightweight and smooths over the skin beautifully. It is a formula that will set to the skin fairly quickly, so especially for dry skin types, I think it's very important to work quickly or in sections. Also, while an application with a brush is great, I like the application with my fingers best because it really helps provide even coverage and really work the product into the skin. I find fingers help melt the product into the skin and leaves a very flawless finish.
This product also contains a light SPF, which is nice but not really enough sun protection to protect your skin for on term exposure. I usually prefer base products to have a high SPF or no SPF at all because I usually wear a minimum of SPF30 on a daily basis.
This formula wears incredibly well, lasting well beyond 8 hours! I also find I don't need to powder it for my dry skin and it just lasts really well. This is an ideal base product for summer or warm and humid weather because it adheres really well to the skin but it doesn't feel heavy, despite the high coverage!
THE LOOKHere is how the foundation looks on the skin. This is unpowdered and you can see how satin almost-matte it looks. This is after it it is initially applied but as you wear it, it gets more radiant.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While this product isn't what I'd call a "skin tint", it is a very beautiful and flawless foundation! The coverage is very high and leaves my skin with a really flawless finish every time! The formula is extremely long-wearing, yet light, which is nice to have for warm weather or long days. Like I stated before, this foundation actually looks better throughout the day, as it melds with the skin. I find myself looking in the mirror shocked at how great my complexion looks long into the day. The natural/satin finish of this foundation allows powder products to glide on top of it beautifully and I never feel the need to set the product. This is a really unexpected love of mine! I typically don't go for a more satin or a full coverage base but this one is so beautiful and feels so lightweight on the skin! If you're often intimidated by full-coverage foundations and I find it to be too heavy, this skin tint is an amazing new take on a full-coverage foundation.
Shop Givenchy Beauty:
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